Title
Approve and authorize the Director of Health Services or designee to execute Amendment No. 2 to Agreement with Awender Chiropractic Health Services, Inc.(“Awender”), extending the term for two (2) additional years with a term of April 15, 2024 to April 30, 2028 and increasing the contract amount by $2,000,000 for a revised contract amount not to exceed $2,916,240 for on-site licensed chiropractors.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the County of Monterey Board of Supervisors:
Approve and authorize the Director of Health Services or designee to execute Amendment No. 2 to Agreement with Awender Chiropractic Health Services, Inc.(“Awender”), extending the term for two (2) additional years with a term of April 15, 2024 to April 30, 2028 and increasing the contract amount by $2,000,000 for a revised contract amount not to exceed $2,916,240 for on-site licensed chiropractors.
SUMMARY:
The County of Monterey Health Department Clinic Services Bureau (Clinic Services) operates twelve community clinic sites designated as Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) which provide preventive, primary, and specialty medical care services, including chiropractic services.
Approval of this Agreement with Awender Chiropractic Health Services, Inc (Awender) will allow continued chiropractic care with a focus on serving low-income, uninsured, and underserved Californians, offering a drug-free approach to health and wellness for individuals who might otherwise have limited or no access to such services.
SUMMARY:
Clinic Services entered into a Standard Agreement with Awender to provide on-site chiropractic care through licensed practitioners, for a term of April 15, 2024, to April 30, 2026, with a contract amount not to exceed $198,000. In response to a 2024 patient survey results, this Agreement served as a pilot program offering chiropractic services, Complementary and Alternative Medicine at the Seaside Family Health Center. The pilot was successful, well received by patients, and reinforced the community need for chiropractic care.
On May 20, 2025, the Board of Supervisors approved Amendment No. 1, expanding services to Salinas by adding a second chiropractor, and increasing the contract amount by $718,240.
Approval of Amendment No. 2 will support the continuation and expansion of chiropractic services to further meet the growing demand for accessible, non-pharmaceutical care options.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The Office of County Counsel and Auditor-Controller have reviewed this agreement as to legal form and provisions, respectively.
FINANCING:
There will be no impact on the General Fund resulting from approval of this Amendment No. 2. There are sufficient appropriations in the Health Department’s FY 2025-26 Adopted Budget (001-4000-HEA007). This Amendment No. 2 is funded by revenues generated from Medi-Cal and Medicare reimbursements.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC PLAN GOALS:
Approval of Amendment No. 2 will allow the continuation and expansion of chiropractic services to further meet the growing demand for accessible, non-pharmaceutical care options, aligning with the Strategic Goal of Well-Being and Quality of Life.
Mark a check next to the related Board of Supervisors Strategic Plan Goals:
__X_ Well-Being and Quality of Life
____ Sustainable Infrastructure for the Present and Future
____ Safe and Resilient Communities
____ Diverse and Thriving Economy
Prepared by: Daniel Garcia, Management Analyst I, 796-1293
Approved by: Elsa Mendoza Jimenez, Director of Health Services, 755-4526
Attachments:
Board Report
Amendment No. 2
Amendment No. 1
Agreement